Tynwald has hosted a parliamentary oversight study visit for representativea from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat and the World Bank Institute (WBI).
CPA assistant director of programmes Arlene Bussette and Washington DC-based WBI senior governance specialist Mitchell O’Brien attended a programme arranged by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office which provided them with opportunities to gain an insight into the work of Tynwald’s Public Accounts Committee and meet with Tynwald Members and senior officers.
The schedule also allowed time for them to observe a CPA Whole Branch meeting and hold discussions with senior government representatives.
Mr O’Brien explained that with much of the WBI’s focus on capacity building and supporting small developing nations the purpose of his visit was to ‘talk to the experts’. His wish was to learn more about democratic governance and parliamentary oversight, in particular the role and function of parliamentary accounts committees in a small jurisdiction such as the Isle of Man, which he saw as ‘a leader in the field.’
He said: ‘Arlene and I have found the visit extremely worthwhile. Everyone with whom we spoke was very open and keen to assist with our research.
‘While some dynamics of governance in large and small parliaments may be roughly similar, in the main where there’s a jurisdiction with fewer people there tends to be a more limited skills base on which to draw. The Isle of Man, however, is very much the exception - a role model in matters of parliamentary governance – and Tynwald is effectively a bespoke parliament that promotes innovation, so can help to guide the WBI in its work with small developing countries.’
Ms Bussette said: ‘The CPA has a longstanding commitment to strengthening parliaments, especially in building parliamentary capacity for effective financial scrutiny. It believes that the most effective means of achieving best practice in public accounts committee procedures is by developing new approaches to information exchange.
‘During our time here we have met with nothing but a genuine willingness to help. To have been able to tap into the wealth of expertise people have been generous enough to share with us has been most valuable. The visit has provided some excellent networking opportunities and I would hope to return soon.’
The President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian, said: ‘We were pleased to welcome Ms Bussette and Mr O’Brien to Tynwald and to be able to support the important work the CPA and WBI are achieving in strengthening parliamentary good governance.
‘The occasion also provided an opportunity to illustrate the widening international role of Tynwald and highlight our shared values of democracy, transparency and accountability.
‘We were delighted our guests found their study visit so illuminating and we look forward to furthering relationships with them and their respective organisations in the future.’
Photo - Hon Juan Watterson MHK with Arlene Bussette and Mitchell O’Brien. (Picture Paul Dougherty, Tynwald Seneschal).
